After such a promising start for the first two weekends of Victorian Premier Cricket, it was a shame to have ‘Huey’ upstairs decide to turn the taps on last weekend! Only 5 of the 9 Men’s Premier 1st XI matches were able to commence some form of play (with varying degrees of play also through the lower XIs). As a result of the weather, Rule 17.5.2 was called into action for this weekend meaning the coloured gear and white balls make a return (just when you thought you didn’t need them again until Christmas…).

In the games that were able to get some form of play in, ball was clearly dominating the bat. Numerous bowlers chipped in with hauls of 2 and 3 wickets (with Ringwood skipper Ian Holland and Monash Tigers’ Mitch Perry both taking 4-wicket hauls), while any batsman that was able to get a score of 30+ had their work cut out in getting that score with the conditions at hand.

Now that the focus is switched back to the White Ball for this weekend, last week’s predictions go out the window! With the shorter format, anything is now possible and top sides will need to be wary of some of their opponents this weekend.

Key matches to watch this Saturday will be the Carlton vs Essendon, Dandenong vs Melbourne University and Melbourne vs Casey-South Melbourne games. Each of these games will have the capacity to see where sides currently sit in the early running of the 2018/19 season ahead of a busy pre-Christmas period.

In last weekend’s action in Women’s Premier Cricket, victories were secured by Prahran in a top-of-the-table clash against Carlton-Brunswick, Melbourne in a low scoring match at the Albert against Plenty Valley and Dandenong opened their account with victory over Ringwood, while the Box Hill vs EMP game was washed out at Box Hill City Oval due to a wet wicket table. Highlights from the weekend’s action saw:

Prahran’s Jess Duffin stole the show, scoring 132 off just 89 balls (16 x 4’s and 7 x 6’s) to help Prahran to a commanding score of 335. Erica Kershaw (76), Emma Inglis (43), Alana King (4/32) and Lauren Innes (3/7) all played key supporting roles for the True Blues, while Ellie Mason (45) and Tahlya Sleep (3/55) tried hard for the Strikers;

Dandenong keeper Nicole Faltum scored 79 in the Panthers’ victory over Ringwood, with an all-round team contribution leading them to the points against the Rams; and

Plenty Valley bat Sophie Day (55*) led the run scorers at the Albert Ground, but was unable to help her side continue their unbeaten start, going down by 3 wickets against Melbourne. Amy Yates (42) led the batting for the Dees with an all-round bowling effort keeping the Bats to a moderate total.

This week’s action sees Box Hill (5th) host Dandenong (6th) at Box Hill City Oval. The Panthers will be keen to make it 2 wins-on-the-trot, while the Mustangs will be keen to feel bat on ball again after last weekend’s washout at Box Hill City Oval against EMP, The Panthers will be relying heavily on Nicole Faltum and Emma Gallagher to lead from the front, while the Mustangs have a more even spread of talent with bat and ball. Mustangs to start favourite at home.

Melbourne (3rd) will play host to the surprise packet Carlton-Brunswick (2nd) at the Albert Ground. Both sides come into this match with a 2-1 record and will be keen to continue their positive starts to the season. If the Demons can dismiss Ellie Mason cheap, then that will put huge pressure on an inexperienced batting line-up and may be the key difference in this match. Melbourne at home in a close one is the gut feel.

Plenty Valley (4th) will take on the ladder leaders Prahran (1st) at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Bats have come off a strong start to the season before last weekend’s close loss to Melbourne, while the True Blues have had 3 very comfortable victories. The biggest battle for the day will be the Plenty Valley bowling line-up against the high-quality Prahran top and middle order. Prahran to start favourites in this one.

Finally, Ringwood (8th) take on Essendon Maribyrnong Park (7th) at Russell Lucas Oval. The Bombers cannot afford to let this match slip from their fingers after a very quiet start to the season. The Rams will be keen to build more experience into their young side this season, however the Bombers have been a hard side to beat in recent seasons. The Bombers will need to win this game to give their campaign any chance of making Finals come March.

MILESTONES:

Congratulations go to the following members within Premier Cricket for the following recent and upcoming milestones: